The Sanjeevani Episode: As described by Valmiki

 

As most know, there are many versions of the Ramayana. For example, the story of the squirrel is from the 14th century Saint Ranganatha’s Ramayana in Telugu and not part of the original Valmiki’s Ramayana. Similarly, perhaps the most popular of them all, the Lakshmana Rekha is not there in Valmiki’s Ramayana. Another extremely popular story is when Laxmana falls unconscious on account of Indrajit’s weapon, Hanuman goes in search of the Sanjeevani herb, and brings the entire mountain back to save Laxmana. Well, that’s not quite how Valmiki describes it. let me share how it is in the original Ramayana.


Indrajit has Brahmastra given to him by Brahma as a boon. When he used it, it continued to inflict damage on the Vanara army for 4 parts of the day, and started to wane during the 5th part which is the evening.


Apparently, according to Valmiki, the Brahmastra had killed and injured 67 Koti Vanaras! Among the severely injured were stalwarts like Jambavan, Sugriva, Angada, Nala, Neela, Gandhmaadana, Sushena, and others. And contrary to popular belief, it had struck both Rama and Laxmana unconscious — not just Laxmana!


Seeing the sons of Dasharatha down, it is Vibhishana who encourages the Vanaras to not despair and assures them that there is no threat to their lives. He tells them that Rama and Laxmana did not fight Indrajit back merely to ensure that Brahma’s boon is upheld. 


By this time, the evening turned into a dark night. Hanuman and Vibhishana with torches in their hands, go looking for survivors among crores of lifeless Vanaras. Vibhishana finally finds Jambavan. The seriously injured Jambavan is unable to see but recognizes Vibhishana from his voice and asks him if Hanuman is still alive.


Surprised at the question, Vibhishana asks why he is not asking about Rama or Laxmana or Sugreeva. Jambavan replies and says that if Hanuman is well, we will all be well, but if he is not, we are all as good as dead. Only he can do what is needed to revive all of us. Being Brahma’s son, the elderly Jambavan seemed to know how to undo the effects of the Brahmaastra! He instructs Hanuman to go to the Himalayas and find  a glowing mountain with medicinal herbs that is between Mount Kailasha and Mount Rishaba. He asks him to get 4 herbs from the top of the mountain: Mrut-Sanjeevani, Vishalyakarani, Suvarnakarani, and Sandhaani.


Mrut-Sanjeevani = brings one back to life; 

Vishalya-karani = weapon extractor /healer; Suvarna-karani = skin restorer; 

Sandhani = binder of broken parts.


Hearing this Hanuman leaps to the Himalayas. Upon seeing Mounts Kailasha and Rishbha, he sees the brilliant golden glow of the medicinal mountain. But seeing his approach, all the medicinal herbs turn themselves invisible. Unable to find them, angry Hanuman uproots and brings the entire mountain to the battle field. After all the injured get healed and the dead are brought back to life, Hanuman carries the mountain back to the Himalayas to put it back in its original location. And the rest, as they say, is history, nay, itihasa!

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